Wings' prospects step up games for playoff grind

As the postseason continues for both the Red Wings and some of their prospects, certan individuals stand out.

The Griffins have been led by a future Grind Liner and potential starting goaltender:

April 30, RedWingsCentral: Captain Matt Ellis and goaltender Jimmy Howard have been the early stars for the Griffins. Ellis leads the team in scoring with four goals and two assists in six games, while Howard has a sparkling 1.76 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage in starting every minute.

Several OHL prospects have starred in limited duty as well:

Forward Jan Mursak and defenceman Jakub Kindl have also stepped right into the lineup on amateur tryout contracts. Mursak, a skilled winger, has two assists and a plus-3 in six games, while Kindl, a former first-round pick, has two assists and a plus-2 in six games.

Cory Emmerton, another forward on an amateur tryout contract, has appeared in two games. Still finding his game after missing three months with a broken ankle, Emmerton is without a point in two games.

The Wings' one major junior prospect who's still playing with his team--Medicine Hat's Darren Helm--is playing tremendously well:

[Darren] Helm, a 19-year-old speedster, is third in WHL playoff scoring with nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points in 16 games.